Cancer & Oncology Clinical Trials Update: Week 19, 2026

Published May 8, 2026 — 5 trials covered

By Victor Lafforgue, Founder of TrialsAlert. Blog posts are AI-drafted from ClinicalTrials.gov source data and reviewed by the editorial team. See our editorial policy for details.

Triptorelin for the Prevention of Ovarian Damage in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

This phase 3 trial is exploring whether triptorelin can protect the ovaries of adolescent and young adult females undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Protecting the ovaries during treatment could help preserve fertility, which is a major concern for many young patients facing cancer. The study is currently recruiting participants under 40 years old in the United States and Canada.

Testing the Timing of Pembrolizumab Alone or With Chemotherapy as First Line Treatment and Maintenance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

This trial is testing different ways to use pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, with chemotherapy for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Researchers want to find out if starting treatment with pembrolizumab alone and adding chemotherapy later is more effective than giving both treatments together from the beginning. This study is recruiting 600 patients across the US, Canada, and Guam, and may lead to new treatment strategies for this type of lung cancer.

Ipilimumab or High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b in Treating Patients With High-Risk Stage III-IV Melanoma That Has Been Removed by Surgery

This study compares two immunotherapy options, ipilimumab and high-dose interferon alfa-2b, for patients whose high-risk melanoma has been surgically removed. The goal is to see if ipilimumab better prevents melanoma from coming back after surgery. Results are available and the trial is still recruiting patients in the United States and Canada, potentially offering improved treatment choices for melanoma survivors.

Olaparib as Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With Germline BRCA Mutated High Risk HER2 Negative Primary Breast Cancer

This trial investigates olaparib as an additional treatment after standard chemotherapy and surgery for patients with high-risk HER2 negative breast cancer who have BRCA gene mutations. Olaparib targets cancer cells with these mutations and may help patients remain cancer-free longer. The study enrolled over 1800 patients worldwide and has reported results that could shape future personalized treatment plans.

NeoAdjuvant Therapy Comparing Sacituzumab Govitecan+Pembrolizumab vs. SoC Chemotherapy in Clinical Stage II-III, Triple-negative Early Breast Cancer

This trial is testing a new drug combination, sacituzumab govitecan with pembrolizumab, against the standard chemotherapy for early triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers aim to increase the chance of completely eliminating the tumor before surgery and lower the risk of cancer returning. The trial plans to enroll 765 patients, and its results could impact treatment standards for this aggressive breast cancer type.

TrialsAlert subscribers received the full impact-classified briefing and doctor-ready report this week. Get weekly briefings at trialsalert.com.